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STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
These
standards are general expectations for inspections performed
by a home inspector certified by FiHI®. These standards are built upon what can be
reasonably identified during
a typical home inspection. A competent home
inspector requires broad, general knowledge of all components
and systems in a home and sufficient knowledge to identify
items in need of more specialized investigation. These
standards of practice are not exhaustive, but they do help
avoid misunderstandings. Additional information can
be found by clicking the icons at the bottom of our
homepage.
LAB Pro Home Inspectors
Are Expected To:
- Consider the safety
of those present at a home inspection
to be paramount.
- Perform an inspection
of a representative number of exposed and readily accessible
components and systems.
- Identify defects and
conditions the inspector judges could adversely
affect the function or integrity of the components
or systems at the time of the inspection.
- Operate components
or systems that are operational during the inspection.
- Explain why items
normally inspected could not be inspected.
- Provide a written
report that, at a minimum:
- describes the
scope of the inspection; and
- describes any
material defects, along with recommendations
if specialists should be retained to determine
the extent of the defects.
- Provide recommendations
when based on education and experience. For
example a licensed structural engineer can make
structural recommendations.
- Provide estimates
for repairs that are based on a range of costs.
LAB
Pro Home
Inspectors Are Not Expected To:
- Damage the property
in order to visually inspect hidden deficiencies
or to remove snow, debris, furniture, stored items,
floor or ceiling covers/panels,
insulation or any other items that may conceal
damage or deficiencies.
- Dismantle or open
components or systems that do not have adequate
provisions for inspection, to conduct specialized tests
or measurements, or to use very specialized instruments.
- Enter crawl spaces
with less than 3' head clearance, attics
with less than 5' head clearance or walk on
roofs not safely reached with a 13' ladder.
- Probe when damage
could result to any finished surface or when no
deterioration is visible
- Identify hidden damages
and conditions, code violations, governmental regulations,
condominium conditions, manufacturer recalls and
environmental hazards including, but not limited
to, toxins, carcinogens, noise, lead, mold, or asbestos
and contaminants in soil, water and air and the
presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals
including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms
or diseases harmful to humans.
- Inspect security devices,
water treatment systems, water wells, gas/oil leaks,
tanks, heat exchangers, exhaust fan adequacy, chimney
flues, humidifiers, pipe/vessel insulation, coolant
leaks, HVAC adequacy/capacity/efficiency, buried
items, fireplace operation, electrical timers and
antennas, unless specified in the contract agreement.
- Provide estimates
of remaining
life, strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency
of components or systems
- Offer warranties or
guarantees of any kind
REMEMBER that
a home inspection is not a substitute for a
pre-settlement
inspection diligently conducted by a buyer.
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